General Chapter: Seeds of Hope

The new leadership team of (front from left) Sister Norene Wu, Sister Jeanne Hagelskamp, (back, from left0 Sister Anne Therese Falkenstein, Sister Lisa Stallings and Sister Tracey Horan.

In late June-early July, the 41st Chapter of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods took place. We were confident that our work would empower us to embody our Chapter theme: “Sowing Seeds of Hope.”

For the Sisters of Providence, Chapter takes place every five years. According to our Constitutions, “Chapter members, representing the entire community, assemble in a spirit of prayer to direct the life and mission of the Congregation.”

For the beginning of our Chapter of Affairs, the sisters were joined by some of our Providence Associates so that they could provide their insights to the delegates, particularly about our vision statement and possibilities for its implementation, to share in the report of the State of the Providence Community and to thank our staff for their exemplary service to the Congregation.

The General Chapter Vision Statement for 2026-31 adopted by the Chapter delegates, was a call to tend the seeds we have already sown and will continue to sow for the life of the world.

SP Vision Statement: We will co-create a world where every person’s dignity is honored and the sacredness of all creation is upheld.

The vision statement complements the Sisters of Providence purpose and mission statements, which follow here:

SP Purpose Statement: “The purpose of this Congregation is to honor Divine Providence and to further God’s loving plans by devoting itself to works of love, mercy and justice in service among God’s people.” (Constitutions, article 3)

SP Mission Statement: “The Sisters of Providence are a community of Catholic women religious who collaborate with others to create a more just and hope-filled world through prayer, education, service and advocacy.”

At the Chapter of Affairs, the sisters were also provided answers to questions about the financial report of the past five years. Chapter delegates also accepted a proposal to call the new leadership team to engage in a governance study.

As is our custom each year at annual meetings or Chapter, Sisters and Associates joined in prayer to recognize and honor our Sisters and Associates who have gone to God this past year. The Providence Community also honored and thanked the 2022-26 leadership team for their service.

Festivities included an introductory procession of sisters on walkers, scooters and wheelchairs decorated for the party; cartoons from The New Yorker to add humor; a beautiful blessing; and a handmade wall plaque for each general officer.

New Leadership, Vision

At the Chapter of Elections, delegates prayerfully reflected on the gifts and qualities needed for leadership of the Congregation for the next five years. After nominations and prayerful discernment, the following team was chosen:

Sister Jeanne Hagelskamp, General Superior

I entered the Congregation on August 23, 1975. I served in Congregation leadership for the past 10 years, first as general councilor and more recently as vicar/general treasurer. Prior to that, I had spent my entire professional life in education as teacher of math, physics, computer science and leadership. I was also in educational leadership positions in high schools and universities for more than 30 years.

Sister Lisa Stallings, Vicar

Sister Lisa entered the Congregation on August 23, 1975. She previously served in Congregation leadership for 10 years (2011-21), first as general councilor and then as vicar/general treasurer. Most recently, she has been Director of Liturgy and a musician for the Congregation. Prior to her service at the Woods, she taught English for several years and subsequently ministered primarily as Coordinator/Director of Liturgy/Worship
at parishes in Illinois and Kentucky.

Sister Anne Therese Falkenstein, Second Councilor

Sister Anne Therese entered the Congregation on August 27, 1979. She has served in Congregation leadership as general councilor for the past five years. She has spent most of her ministerial life at Providence University in Taiwan, where she was a professor, special assistant to the president and director of the Office of International Affairs. Previously, she taught at the elementary and secondary level in the U.S.

Sister Tracey Horan, Third Councilor

Sister Tracey entered the Congregation on September 8, 2014. She most recently served as Associate Director of Education and Advocacy for the Kino Border Initiative in Nogales, Arizona. Prior to that, she served as a community organizer for two different groups in Indianapolis.

Sister Norene Wu, Fourth Councilor

Sister Norene entered the Congregation on September 1, 1982. Most recently, she has served as Director of Novices for the Congregation. Her previous ministries were primarily at Providence University in Taiwan, where she worked in the Department of Social Work and Child Welfare.

We ask that you hold us in prayer so that, as a Providence Community and with the help of those who walk with us, we can work courageously and tirelessly to tend the seeds of hope that have been sown to make our vision become a reality in our Congregation, in the Church and in the world.